Archives for December 2013

Edencroft has a nice new Highland Old Pulteney 17 YO this week to add to their range. Perfect for Burns Night!

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Edencroft

Old Pulteney – 17 Year Old Single MaltCountry: Scotland Region: HighlandsAge: 17 Year Old Strength: 46%Summary: The 17-year-old predominantly features ex-bourbon maturation, with the addition of spirit that has been wholly matured in Spanish wood ex-sherry casks, predominantly Pedro Ximenez and Oloroso. This adds a subtle depth and complexity to the whisky, making for an outstanding after-dinner drink.
Nose: Sweet with traces of apples and pears: slightly woody with a hint of butterscotch.
Colour: Red amber with a rich autumnal hue.
Taste: Full bodied, with hints of vanilla and floral notes in the background; a long-lasting memorable finish.
OLD PULTENEY DISTILLERY
Founded in 1826 by James Henderson at the height of Wicks celebrated herring boom, the Pulteney Distillery is one of the most northerly on the British mainland.
At a time when road links to the town were yet to be established, the distillery was dependent on the sea for its supply of barley and for the shipping out of its malt whisky. Wick became known for the barrels of silver (herring) and gold (whisky) which left the port in vast numbers.
The distillery itself has an absorbing history, with its unique stills defying convention to this day. The wash still, in particular, is a source of fascination to visitors due to the absence of a swan neck. Legend has it that when the still was delivered it was too tall for the still house and the manager simply decided to cut the top off! The Old Pulteney bottle now incorporates a bulbous neck to reflect the shape of the stills.
Over time, the distillery has passed through the hands of various owners, and even closed during times of trouble for the industry in 1930. Luckily, the repeal of an often forgotten period of prohibition in 1947 saw the welcome resumption of whisky production, with the distillery changing ownership a number of times, before its purchase by Inver House Distillers in 1995. Throughout this history what has endured is the quality of the whisky. Traditional craftsmanship and the distillerys windswept location continue to contribute to the award-winning whisky that is Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Dalmore Tweed Dram / Rivers Collection Highland WhiskyCountry: Scotland Region: HighlandAge: Strength: 40%Summary: 70cl / 40% / Distillery Bottling – Following 2010's hugely successful 'Dee Dram', this is a special bottling of Dalmore in celebration of the River Tweed, the UK's best salmon river. As with the distillery's other 'River' drams, a generous donation from the profits will go to the river's conservation foundation.

Glen Garioch 12 Year Old Miniature Highland Single Malt Scotch WhiskyCountry: Scotland Region: HighlandAge: 12 Year Old Strength: 48%Summary: 5cl / 48% / Distillery Bottling – A miniature bottle of Glen Garioch's tasty 12 year old whisky. Introduced to the core range in late 2012, this is a mix of ex-bourbon and sherry casks.

Rosebank 12 Year Old / 1st Release Lowland Single Malt Scotch WhiskyCountry: Scotland Region: LowlandAge: 12 Year Old Strength: 43%Summary: 70cl / 43% / Distillery Bottling – The incredibly sought-after first release of Rosebank 12 year old as part of the Flora & Fauna series, complete with original wooden box. The distillery was a victim of the early 1990s downturn in the whisky market and producer of some beautiful whiskies.

Macallan 25 Year Old / Sherry Oak Speyside Single Malt Scotch WhiskyCountry: Scotland Region: SpeysideAge: 25 Year Old Strength: 43%Summary: 70cl / 43% / Distillery Bottling – An old bottling of 25 year old Macallan, part of the acclaimed and highly sought after Anniversary series of bottlings.

Jameson 1780 / 12 Year Old Blended Irish WhiskeyCountry: Irish Region: IrishAge: 12 Year Old Strength: 40%Summary: 70cl / 40% – A special edition of Jameson's blended Irish whiskey, produced from whiskies aged for at least 12 years and named for the year of the founding of the Bow Street Distillery by John Jameson.

70cl / 44.1% / Distillery Bottling – A bottle of the extremely rare (just 62 bottles were released) Benriach Vestige 1966. “Vestige” has been so named because it represents a moment in time, a small trace of something very special that, once lost, can never be replaced. This is truly a piece of the distillery’s history.

70cl / 50.1% / Ian Macleod – A 30 year old Port Ellen from Ian Macleod’s Chieftain’s range. Distilled in 1982, bottled in 2012 and released shortly after Diageo unveiled their own Port Ellen Special Release for the year. A few lucky people got to try this at The Whisky Show 2012 leading to some excellent reports.